MESA, Ariz. — Fireworks and Independence Day go hand in hand.
However, illegal fireworks are still a problem all over the state during the holiday and an East Valley police department is cracking down.
Recently, the Mesa Police Department announced a massive seizure of more than 2,000 boxes of illegal fireworks stored at a Chandler facility. Detective Brandi Myers said the estimated cost of all the fireworks is about $1 million.
“This amount of fireworks is rare for us," Myers said.
The bust happened last week. Myers said officers learned about it by checking out pop-up firework tents to look into possible illegal sales.
Officers obtained a search warrant and found 95 pallets of aerial fireworks.
“It took us four semi-truck loads to remove the fireworks from that location,” she said.
The person who allegedly operates the fireworks business where the seizure happened has charges pending against them as the investigation continues.
The types of fireworks banned in Mesa and the rest of the state include:
- Sky rockets or bottle rockets
- Firecrackers
- Re-loadable shell devices like Roman candles
- Aerials
- Single-tube device
- Sky lanterns
Basically, anything that is launched into the sky and explodes.
Sparklers, fountains, and smoke bombs are allowed.
This incident isn't the only fireworks bust Mesa has seen. Myers said so far this summer, four people have been arrested for having or selling illegal fireworks.
In one case, the 18-year-old suspect reportedly told investigators he planned to sell his supply for $1,000.
Myers also said this year, the police department is stepping up enforcement this Fourth of July. She said there will be at least 30 officers dedicated to firework-related calls.
There is also a new program where people can report these illegal situations anonymously.
Between July 1 and July 6, a citizen who witnesses illegal fireworks activity can file an anonymous report on the City of Mesa website. A complaint can be filed by clicking on the "Residents" tab, then going to "Police" and then clicking on "Report Fireworks" where visitors can submit a request.
“You can upload photos, upload videos and our officers will get that information in real-time and dispatch to the area to investigate,” Myers said.
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